RESEARCH ARTICLE


Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors: Potential Drug Targets for Psychiatric Disorders



Akito Yasuhara*, a, Shigeyuki Chakib
a Medicinal Chemistry Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
b Molecular Function and Pharmacology, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Yoshino-cho, 1-403, kita-ku, Satitama 331-9530, Japan


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Creative Commons License
© Yasuhara and Chaki; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Medicinal Chemistry Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Yoshino-cho, 1-403, kita-ku, Satitama 331-9530, Japan; Tel: +81-48-669-3029; Fax: +81-48-652-7254; E-mail: a.yasuhara@po.rd.taisho.co.jp


Abstract

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu receptors) have emerged as new therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety with their regulatory roles in glutamatergic transmissions. To date, several ligands selective for each mGlu receptor have been synthesized, and pharmacological significances of these ligands have been demonstrated in animal models. Among them, mGlu2/3 receptor agonists have been proven to be effective for treating schizophrenia and anxiety disorders in clinical studies, which may prove utilities of mGlu receptor ligands for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This article reviews recent advances in development of each mGlu receptor ligands and their therapeutic potential.

Keywords: Metabotropic glutamate receptor, mGlu, psychiatric disorder, drug target.